We can define imagination as the ability to create mental representations of things that are not present in the physical space around us (Markman et al., 2009). This means the ability to remember our past, envision a future, and explore hypothetical scenarios that might be unfolding right now.
Imagination often involves, but does not require, having a mental image in our heads (Nishizaka, 2003). The generation of ideas often involves abstract concepts that have no physical form.
In other words, we can imagine both that which is real and that which is not real, with or without a mental representation of it (Nishizaka, 2003). In this sense, imagination is almost more like the hypothetical experiencing of something that does not exist right here, right now. To imagine is to explore a possibility outside the present moment.
There is a long tradition in Western philosophy of trying to understand imagination, and it usually defines imagination in some way as both thinking and sensation (Flory, 1996). In this sense, imagination is at the intersection of what we can experience with our five senses and our powers of cognition.
It seems to be this way so we can put our imagination to use; specifically, it is theorized that the ability to imagine things developed for a number of very adaptive reasons (Markman et al., 2009). Imagination allows us to think about and simulate the future—the better to prepare for what may happen. It gives us the ability to consider other ways we could behave or exist in the world, the experiences of other people, and the ability to revisit the past. If we could not try out all these different realities in our heads, we might not be very good at handling unexpected situations as they unfold. In fact, many expert athletes and musicians rehearse their physical motions and routines endlessly in their own heads so those things will feel as automatic as possible when it comes time to perform.
Benefits of Imagination
The primary benefit of having an imagination may be that it gives you the ability to “test out” possible futures (Gaesser, 2013). This ability to simulate potential scenarios helps us avoid all sorts of ineffective or even harmful behaviors. By seeing how, based on prior knowledge and experience, certain scenarios could play out, we might even avoid mistakes entirely.
Exercising our imaginations seems to be adaptive in other ways too. For example, use of the imagination is associated with stronger memory abilities and experiencing more empathy (Gaesser, 2013). The ability to imagine other people’s experiences can make us more effective in social interactions and more able to bond with other people (Rabinowitz & Heinhorn, 1985).
Psychologists have a word for the ability to use one’s imagination well: imaginativeness (McMullen & Kier, 2017). Imagination is understood as both a general and a domain-specific skill, meaning that some people are more naturally imaginative than others, and each person may be more effectively imaginative in certain areas than in others.
In Sum
One of the most interesting findings on imagination is that we can cultivate our imaginations, at least in specific areas of our lives, through intentional practice (McMullen & Kier, 2017). So if you would like to have a more active and rich inner experience of the world, try to engage your imagination on the topics that matter most to you.
References
● Flory, D. (1996). Stoic psychology, classical rhetoric, and theories of imagination in western philosophy. Philosophy & Rhetoric, 29(2), 147–167.
● Gaesser, B. (2013). Constructing memory, imagination, and empathy: a cognitive neuroscience perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 576.
● Markman, K. D., Klein, W. M., & Suhr, J. A. (2009). Overview. In K. D. Markman, W. M. Klein, & J. A. Suhr (Eds.), Handbook of imagination and mental simulation (vii–xvi). Taylor & Francis.
● McMullen, J. S., & Kier, A. S. (2017). You don’t have to be an entrepreneur to be entrepreneurial: The unique role of imaginativeness in new venture ideation. Business Horizons, 60(4), 455–462.
● Nishizaka, A. (2003). Imagination in action. Theory & Psychology, 13(2), 177–207.
● Rabinowitz, A., & Heinhorn, L. (1985). Empathy and imagination. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 4(3), 305–312.